HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive Committee - Minutes - 9/14/20231
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Executive Committee Meeting
4:00pm, September 14, 2023
Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County
Board Room, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Dennis Pocernich, Brett Rondeau, Jeff Silbert, Mary Dougherty, Jeremy
Oswald
Members Excused: Fred Strand
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Kris Kavajecz-Human Resources
Director, Marty Milanowski, Kim Mattson-Accountant, Cole Rabska-BCEDC, Craig Parks-
Maintenance Supervisor, Gail Reha-Bookkeeper, Elizabeth Skulan-Human Services Director,
Troy Thompson, John Carlson-Corporation Counsel
Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Chairman Rondeau.
Motion Pocernich, Oswald to approve minutes of the August 9, 2023 Executive Committee
meeting. Motion Carried (5-0).
Public Comment: None
Northern Lights Roof Assessment Presentation: Troy Thompson provided a report of
the Northern Lights Roof condition with options. Photos of the existing roof were
reviewed along with a sample of the roofing layers. Estimated cost for the project is
$900,000 to $1.1m.
Courthouse Tractor Purchase for Snow Removal: Parks reviewed his proposal for
purchase of a tractor for snow removal and rationale. Estimate for the tractor with
snowblower, bucket and pallet forks is $47k. Contingency funds along with a
snowblower trade-in would be used to cover the cost.
Motion Oswald, Silbert to allocate up to $40,000 from contingency for the purchase of a
tractor. Discussion regarding whether the purchase should be authorized before bids are
received. Motion Carried (5-0) Bids will be brought to the committee or county board
for final purchase authorization.
IT Policy Regarding Software Backups: A recommendation is to modify the county’s
policy the former employee files and emails will be retained for a period of 36 months
post-employment.
Motion Pocernich, Oswald to recommend that the Personnel Committee approve the IT
Policy regarding software back-ups as presented. Motion Carried. (5-0)
2
Design Work for Additional Office Space at the Courthouse and Sheriff’s Office:
Skulan reported on the need for office space for DHS staff. Two additional staff are
planned for 2024 and will require additional office space that does not currently exist.
The proposal is to remodel the existing computer training lab and adjacent storage room
and the existing Family Recovery Room to create additional office space. The Sheriff’s
Office is also proposing a modification to office space to create individual offices for
investigators. Estimate for design of the new office spaces in Human Services and
Sheriff’s office.
Motion Pocernich, Oswald to authorize up to $11,167 from contingency for design work
for the Human Services and Sheriff’s Office remodels. Motion Carried (5-0)
Presentation of the 2024 Proposed Budget: Abeles-Allison provided a broad overview
of the 2024 budget proposal. A levy increase of $145,233 is proposed, resulting in an
11% decrease in the mill rate to 3.378. Total levy of $12,678,505 proposed. Total
expenditures proposed at $45,478,699 and revenues of $40,122,352. Note to modify the
Executive Committee Vice Chairman on page 1. It was noted that there are a couple of
new funds related to the Joint Dispatch PSAP, LATCF and Carbon Credits.
Corporation Counsel John Carlson explained the proposed Bonding Resolution. The idea
is to close the sale of the bonds as close to the end of the year as possible and pay them
off as early as possible in 2024. Discussion about what items should be included for
repair immediately. $3m is recommended for bonding.
Bonding Resolution and Referral to County Board: Motion Dougherty, Silbert to
authorize a $3m bond issue and forward to the full county board for approval. Motion
Carried (5-0)
2024 Proposed EMS Funding Notice to Agencies: Consensus of the committee is to not
send out the letter at this time.
2024 Proposed Municipal Funding for WIFI: Consensus of the committee is to not
offer funding for Wi-Fi at this point.
Budget 2024 Meetings:
Sept 21 5:30pm
Sept 26 5:00pm
3
Oct 5 4:00pm
Oct 9 4:00pm
Child Care Grant Application: Abeles-Allison reported that communications are still
ongoing with the School District of Washburn and St Louis School.
Budget Amendment Resolution Regarding Squad and Fleet Fund Transfer: The
fund is showing a significant deficit. Recommendation that the Sheriff’s Committee
discuss this before taking action at the Executive Committee.
Resolution Recognizing State Public Defender Kelli Thompson for 12 Years in the
Position: Motion Oswald, Silbert to approve the resolution recognizing Kelli Thompson
for 12 Years in the State Public Defender position. Motion Carried
Reports:
a. Financial Reports end of August 2023
b. Treasurer’s Report, end of August 2023
c. Superior Days Issue ID
Motion Pocernich, Oswald to move into Closed Session pursuant to §19.85(1) (e) Deliberating or
negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other
specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session,
specifically as it relates to the county’s discussions and negotiations with the State and other taxing
jurisdictions surrounding allocation of state funds to make up the shortfall in tax collections
following the court’s decision impacting tribal lands; Land Sales at the Business Park; Business
Strategy at the County Facility operated by Northern Lights; and August 9, 2023 Closed Session
Minutes. Motion Carried (5-0). Entered closed session at 6:23 pm. Cole Rabska and John Carlson
were invited to remain in the closed session.
Motion Silbert, Pocernich to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0). Returned to open
session at 7:12 pm
Northern Lights Parking Lot: Estimate of $32,000 to clean, patch and seal the Northern Lights
Parking Lot was discussed. Motion Pocernich, Dougherty to allocate up to $7,500 to patch
holes in the Northern Lights Parking Lot. Motion Carried. (5-0)
Meeting adjourned at 7:15p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz.